Sheila Fitzgerald, the town’s mayor, said roughly 40 stranded seals were seen by residents, the Chicago Sun Times reported. Fitzgerald has requested assistance from Canadian authorities, who’ve tried moving the seals back to their original route.

According to Fitzgerald, the town has had similar experiences before, where some seals have become confused and ventured to nearby driveways and roads after local coves froze over. However, Fitzgerald finds this current scenario very problematic, because two seals have already died from potential traffic incidents.

Seal on the road in Roddickton. I guess someone should call DFO and report that the people are killing them, then you’ll see how quick they’ll show up pic.twitter.com/rD4Hnx6WvU

Last week, locals began spotting the seals around town, and thought they would find their way back, The (Newfoundland and Labrador) Telegram reported. A Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans spokesperson told The (Newfoundland and Labrador) Telegram that the seals might have been confused, because they couldn’t access the sea due to strong winds.

To date, the seals haven’t been able to find their way back. Fitzgerald said more should be done to protect the animals and return them to their habitat.

“We’re seeing them more lethargic, they’re not moving as fast,” Fitzgerald told The (Newfoundland and Labrador) Telegram. “It’s really disheartening for people to watch these animals suffer.”